- Years in practice
- 8
- Credentials
- LMSW
- Licensed in
- Michigan
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Grief
- Focus
- Depression
About Sara
Sara Sutherland is a licensed master social worker who helps people cope with anxiety, depression, grief, stress, and parenting challenges. She focuses on helping people feel seen and heard while they work through life changes and difficult emotions. Sara keeps sessions straightforward and genuine.
She listens first, then partners with each person to set small, practical goals. She brings warmth and plain language to conversations about hard topics like loss, chronic illness, addiction, and relationship strain.
Background and approach
Her background includes a Bachelor of Arts in social work and psychology from Hope College and a Master of Social Work from Western Michigan University. Over eight years she has worked in independent practice, health care settings, and hospice care, which shaped how she supports people facing illness and end-of-life concerns.
In sessions she uses methods drawn from client-centered work, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior ideas, emotionally focused strategies, and mindfulness practices. Those tools help with managing strong emotions, changing unhelpful thoughts, and improving communication and connection. Sara aims to offer a steady presence while helping people take practical steps forward.
She supports adults facing a wide range of concerns, including parenting stress, compassion fatigue, bipolar and ADHD-related struggles, body image, caregiving strain, and isolation. Her approach is collaborative and paced to each person's needs.
What Sara works with
Everything Sara lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Sara helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Grief
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Bipolar disorder
- ADHD
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Body image
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Co-morbidity
- Communication problems
- Family problems
- Fertility issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Mood disorders
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Personality disorders
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Sara lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online care
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening, acceptance, and partnership; it helps people feel understood and decide what changes matter most. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences and then try methods that fit those needs. That decision is collaborative and can change as progress is made.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy flexible. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation for deeper emotional work. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging suit brief check-ins, skill practice, and people who prefer writing over speaking. These options make it possible to fit sessions into work breaks, busy caregiving schedules, or days with limited travel.
Questions people ask about Sara
What concerns does Sara commonly address?
Sara works with adults on stress, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting challenges, relationship and intimacy issues, addiction concerns, trauma and abuse, bipolar and ADHD-related struggles, and a range of caregiving and health-related topics.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is warm and straightforward. She listens first, then collaborates on small, practical steps using plain language and gentle challenge when helpful.
What experience does she bring to sessions?
Sara has eight years of clinical experience that include independent practice, health care, and hospice settings. That mix shaped how she supports people facing serious illness, grief, and life transitions.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She holds an LMSW, which stands for Licensed Master Social Worker, and she practices in Michigan.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available online?
She works with clients via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to therapist availability.
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